Abstract: Optical films having an optical axis with an orientation that varies along a width of the optical film and having one or more indicia recording the orientation of the optical axis at a plurality of locations in the optical film are provided. Systems and methods for producing and for converting the optical films are provided.

Abstract: A corrugated cardboard plant comprises a corrugated cardboard web production assembly for producing a corrugated cardboard web; a register mark cutting device, disposed downstream of the corrugated cardboard web production assembly, for cutting the corrugated cardboard web into corrugated cardboard sheets; a register mark detection device, disposed upstream of the register mark cutting device, for detecting at least one register mark on the corrugated cardboard web; and a control assembly which is in signal connection with the register mark cutting device and with the register mark detection device, and depending on the at least one detected register mark actuates the register mark cutting device, while generating at least one register mark cut.

Abstract: In a method of removing a protecting synthetic coating (1) from an elongated element (2) in the form of an optical fibre (3) surrounded by the coating a cut (8) is created into the coating by knife edges (6). The element is displaced with respect to the knife edges in the longitudinal direction of the element for displacing coating material (17) by said knives. At least one drop of liquid (12) with wetting properties is supplied to the cut for being sucked into a space created between the coating and the optical fibre during said displacement for acting as a lubricant for a sliding of the coating to be removed along the fibre.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cutting rigid foams, especially slabstock P(M)I foams. A method is provided here, by means of which it is possible to cut these rigid foams even in relatively high layer thicknesses of, for example, more than 3 mm, without material loss, which is produced in relevant amounts, for example, in the course of sawing as a result of the sawdust formed.

Abstract: Table saws with safety systems are disclosed. The safety systems detect and react to dangerous conditions, such as contact between the blade and a person. The table saws may include a switch, a first light that illuminates to indicate the safety system is operable, and a second light that illuminates to indicate that the safety system is inoperable. The switch may not power the saw when switched on if the second light is illuminated.

Abstract: A knife assembly for use in a veneer cutting machine such as a rotary veneer lathe and a veneer slicer includes a knife blade, a knife blade holder and a knife adjusting bolt with a lock nut. The knife blade holder includes a holder block having formed therethrough a threaded hole through which the knife adjusting bolt is adjustably inserted. The holder block has a first support surface that is in supporting contact with a part of one surface of the knife blade on the side thereof where a bevel face of the knife blade is formed and a second support surface that is in supporting contact with a part of a base end surface located opposite from and extending parallel to a cutting edge of the knife blade.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for substantially reducing, or eliminating, planer snipe on workpieces passing through the work area of a woodworking machine and providing a quick change out and adjustment of a press roller mounted to the hood of the woodworking machine.

Abstract: A fastening system includes a carriage moveably mounted to a frame between first and second positions extensive with and beyond a fixture. The fixture is horizontally movably mounted in the frame to receive components to be fastened of differing sizes, with slide bars vertically moveably mounted relative to the fixture and simultaneously horizontally movable with the fixture. Adjustable spacers, in the form of a body having different extents or telescopic pillars, are positioned in the frame to abut with the components received in the fixture. Wheels rotatably mounted to first and second platforms of the carriage are received in U-shaped channels of the frame, with the first and second platforms being moved by endless belts clamped thereto. Nail guns are movably mounted between vertical posts of the platforms and include a plunger which is biased against a drum carrying a belt of fasteners and include a flat board tangential to a roller having a V-shaped circumferential groove receiving the heads of nails.

Abstract: A method for mechanically producing a wood structure with a decorative pattern is disclosed, wherein partial patterns are processed onto a working face of a wood structure by moving at least one milling cutter of a processing head of a device for patterning transversely to the wood structure with the axis of rotation of the milling cutter at an inclined angle relative to the place of the working face in such a way that grooves that form the partial pattern are formed on the working face, each of the grooves having two planes set at an angle relative to each other while the depth of the groove changes in the transverse direction of the groove.

Abstract: A manufactured wood product in the form of a consolidated monolith comprising a plurality of natural wood pieces adhesively bonded together by a crosslinked thermoplastic adhesive which has been cross linked during processing wherein said manufactured wood product retains its consolidated shape at elevated temperatures and wherein the crosslinked thermoplastic adhesive has a glass transition temperature at or lower than the normal use temperature of the manufactured wood product.

Abstract: An injection mold system for injecting slurry into an internal portion of an injection mold component core is disclosed. The system may include a fill clip for injecting slurry into an internal portion of an injection mold component core including a fill member for injecting slurry into the internal portion of the injection mold component core, and a latch member for removably coupling the fill member with the injection mold component core. The system may also include a fill reservoir for collecting excess slurry from the internal portion of the injection mold component core. The fill reservoir may also redistribute the excess slurry back into the internal portion of the injection mold component core.

Abstract: An extruder includes a receptacle for containing material to be extruded. The extruder further includes a dispersion blade positioned within the receptacle and a nozzle secured to the receptacle. The nozzle defines a first opening positioned within an interior of the receptacle, defines a second opening positioned outside of the receptacle and defines a channel which extends from the first opening through the nozzle to the second opening defining a flow path which extends from the first opening, through the channel and to the second opening. The nozzle extends through a wall of the receptacle and into the interior of the receptacle such that the first opening is positioned spaced apart from the wall.

Abstract: Described are improved devices and processes for manufacturing concrete articles, including concrete pipe. In one embodiment, the invention provides an apparatus that has a first platform that is located beneath the floor of a manufacturing facility. The first platform includes a top surface and is configured to move bi-directionally along an axis. Two form bases can reside on the top surface of the first platform, each form base further including a form core that extends vertically from the first platform through respective holes in a second platform that resides above the first platform at an elevation even with or just above the floor's surface. The second platform is configured to move bi-directionally with the first platform between one of two cranes disposed on either side of a concrete mixer. A form is placed over the first core, which is then positioned under the outlet of an auger that receives concrete from the mixer.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains generally to cutting belts, in particular cutting belts having a cable. In certain aspects, this disclosure provides new cutting segments and cable arrangements for cutting belts. In some embodiments, the cutting belt has cable arrangements that resist rotation when under tension. Cutting belts having cable segments positioned radially outward of other cable segments, relative to the central opening of the cutting belt, around at least 60% of the length of the cutting belt, and cutting belts having cable segments with different twist directions are disclosed.

Abstract: Before bonding abrasive grain to a core wire, a palladium coating is applied to the surface of the abrasive grain. The palladium coating is formed as a sea on the surface of the diamond grains. In other words, the palladium coating covers the surface of the diamond grains so that the entirety thereof is continuous. Moreover, the palladium coating does not completely cover the diamond grains, and a diamond exposed portion is provided by the palladium coating not being applied on a portion thereof. The exposed diamond portion is formed as an island on the surface of the abrasive grain. In other words, a plurality of diamond exposed portions are formed as islands separated from each other.

Abstract: A workpiece holder for slicing the workpiece by a wire saw including a workpiece plate which is bonded and fixed to the workpiece through a pad plate, and a holder main body which supports the workpiece plate. The workpieces at an x axis direction and a direction vertical to the same is a y axis direction, the workpiece plate is bonded and fixed to the workpiece to correct a deviation of a crystal orientation axis of the workpiece in the x axis direction. The workpiece holder can adjust a tilt in the y axis direction of the workpiece by tilting the workpiece plate in the y axis direction. The workpiece holder can realize slicing an ingot conforming to specifications with rigorous orientation standards in an external setup manner without using a wire saw including an orientation adjustment mechanism for a single crystal ingot, and a method for slicing a workpiece.

Abstract: This invention provides a finely ground biomass material used to create biomass-containing plastics having a smooth surface, while also preventing creation of unwanted color including those created by the Maillard reaction which results from a combination of sugars, protein, heat and acid or base chemicals. The present invention also provides for methods to prevent agglomeration of small particles into larger particles which can produce irregular surfaces on biomass-based plastics, including thin film plastics, especially thin film plastics less than 4 mil and other thin film plastics that can become too large to use in thin-film plastic production. For the purpose of this invention, plastic resins can be any gas or liquid hydrocarbon or fermentation-based resins.

Abstract: A multi-part mold formed from a shell mold and a mold base provides efficiency in a manufacturing process. The shell mold may be formed on a positive mold article. The positive mold article may be formed from a rapid manufacturing process. The shell mold may then be formed on a surface of the positive mold article through a coating process that builds a relatively thin coating that results in a mold surface for molding an object represented, at least in part, by the positive mold article. The shell mold is then joined with a mold base effective to support the shell mold for the molding operation.

Abstract: A production method of a mold includes: preparing a plate precursor having a protruding pattern formed of protrusions in a pattern presence region on a base, and a thermoplastic resin sheet; determining a position at which the plate precursor is to be pressed against the thermoplastic resin sheet by moving the plate precursor and the thermoplastic resin sheet relative to each other; and forming a recessed pattern on the thermoplastic resin sheet by pressing the protrusions of the plate precursor which is heated against the thermoplastic resin sheet at a position where a part of the pattern presence region of the plate precursor excluding the protrusions is separated from a surface of the thermoplastic resin sheet, cooling the plate precursor in a state in where the pressed protrusions and the thermoplastic resin sheet are in contact with each other, and separating the plate precursor from the thermoplastic resin sheet.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object shaping device is a device configured to shape a three-dimensional object using a layer shaping method, the device including: an ejection head configured to eject a shaping material; a flattening roller configured to rotate and move over the shaping material ejected on a layered surface to remove an extra shaping material; and a blade configured to make contact with the flattening roller along a circumferential surface of the flattening roller to scrape off the shaping material adhered to the circumferential surface by rotation of the flattening roller, where chrome plating is coated on the surface of the flattening roller, and the blade is made of carbon tool steel.

Abstract: A molded a product includes a body including a hollow interior region and a plurality of openings in communication between an interior region and an exterior of the body. The body is formed from a resilient material that enables the product to stretch and retract to an original shape without tearing or breaking when removing a first part of a core of a mold from a first portion of the interior region through a first opening of the plurality of openings and a second part of the core of the mold from a second portion of the interior region through at least one of the first opening and a second opening of the plurality of openings, the first and second parts of the core of the mold being larger than each of the plurality of openings.

Abstract: The present invention provides a die assembly for molding a resin-made insert having a sleeve that is inserted into an intake port of an internal combustion engine. Each sleeve has one inlet and two outlets. The die assembly includes an inner die and an outer die. The inner die includes an inlet side part and an outlet side part. The inlet side part and the outlet side part mold an inner peripheral surface of the sleeve in an assembled state, and are removed in mutually opposite directions. By means of this assembly, a sleeve having a complicated structure and shape can be molded easily.

Abstract: A method for producing a laminated moulded part comprises a pressure moulding of a blank to form a moulded part in a moulding cavity between a first moulding tool unit and a second moulding tool unit, introducing of a laminating element into the moulding cavity after the pressure moulding of the blank, and a bonding of the moulded part with the laminating element in the moulding cavity.

Abstract: A method of moulding and apparatus therefor, in which a workpiece is preheated and/or post-cooled before and/or after a moulding process, allowing optimal use of the tool for high precision moulding operations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mold for a device for manufacturing particle foam articles. The mold delimits a mold cavity. The mold includes a mold chase and at least one mold plate movable relative to the mold chase. The mold chase is characterized in that it comprises front walls that are formed to be more rigid than the inner wall facing the mold cavity. According to another aspect of the invention, the mold plate comprises a reinforcing structure, which is formed independently of a hollow chamber structure of the mold plate, wherein vapor is conducted exclusively through the hollow chamber structure of the mold plate. Furthermore, fins of the hollow chamber structure can be arranged slanted, so that condensed water forming in the hollow chamber structure flows away from the inner wall of the mold plate. According to another aspect, a sealing element is provided, which surrounds the mold plate. The sealing element is formed as an inflatable tube.

Abstract: A method for producing a part includes the steps of: positioning an insert in a mold via a gripping element, able to be actuated between an inactive configuration and an active configuration, of a gripping device comprising a shaping wall; shaping the insert in a reinforcing element against a surface; during positioning, maintaining a separation between the surface and the insert, and moving the shaping wall to apply the insert against the surface; and during the shaping, applying the shaping wall and the gripping element against the insert and the surface, the element being actuated in its inactive configuration before the application of the shaping wall.

Abstract: A method and a system for producing a luminescent 3D radar-module cover for a radiator grille of a motor vehicle. A three-dimensional structure including an optical conductor is produced from a light-dispersing first plastic material in separate method steps using a first injection mold. The three-dimensional structure is metallized and metal-coated. A subsequent separation of the gating takes place. A cover element is produced from a second plastic material using a second injection mold, which at least partially covers the metallized three-dimensional structure in a planar manner in a position of use. A contour of the three-dimensional structure is left free. The gating is subsequently severed. The three-dimensional structure is metallized together with the cover element disposed thereon and is embedded in a third plastic material with the aid of a third injection mold while molding a mount for a radar module and fastening points on the molded component.

Abstract: A threaded mold decoupling system includes at least one unscrewing assembly rotatably coupled to a mounting plate and disposed in proximity to a threaded core of an injection mold, an elevator assembly having a first elevator element rotatably coupled to the mounting plate and a second elevator element connected to a fixed plate, the fixed plate opposing the mounting plate, and a driving assembly disposed in operative communication with the at least one unscrewing assembly and with the first elevator element of the elevator assembly. The driving assembly is configured to actuate the at least one unscrewing assembly to rotate a molded article about a longitudinal axis of the threaded core and actuate the first elevator element relative to the second elevator element to linearly translate the mounting plate relative to the fixed plate and to translate the molded article along the longitudinal axis of the threaded core.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for fabricating anisotropic polymer materials. According to various embodiments, a fluidic device is employed to distribute a polymer solution and a flow-confining solution in order to generate a layered flow, where the layered flow is formed such that a polymer liquid sheet is sheathed on opposing sides by flow-confining liquid sheets. The fluidic device includes first and second fluid conduits, where the first fluid conduit receives the layered flow. The second fluid conduit has a reduced height relative to the first fluid conduit, such that the layered flow is constricted as it flows through the second fluid conduit. The constriction formed by the second flow conduit causes hydrodynamic focusing, reducing the thickness of the polymer liquid sheet, and inducing molecular alignment and anisotropy within the polymer liquid sheet as it is hardened and as strain is applied during extrusion of the sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a prestretched polyethylene film having a longitudinal stretch ratio of from about 1:2 to about 1:4 and having a longitudinal elongation capability of at least 170%, said elongation capability comprising an elastic component. The invention also relates to a method for producing said film and to a method of wrapping compressed bulk material such as a round bale using said film, the method comprising further stretching the prestretched film and applying the film around the compressed bulk material in direct contact therewith. The film according to the invention may be used as a net replacement film and allows increasing the efficiency and the economics in the baling process by allowing faster baling, use of a lesser amount of wrapping film and/or improved protection of the product.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an easy-to-tear plastic film comprising a pattern roll rotatably supported by a pair of stationary frames, an anvil roll moving along a pair of movable frames, a first driving unit for rotating the movable frames, and second driving units each mounted to the movable frame to move the anvil roll up and down; high-hardness, fine particles projecting from a rolling surface of the pattern roll having such average height and maximum height as enabling the formation of unpenetrating fine pores in a plastic film; with the anvil roll inclined to the pattern roll in a horizontal plane by the operation of the first driving unit, large numbers of unpenetrating fine pores being formed transversely uniformly in the plastic film passing through a gap of both rolls.

Abstract: Systems and methods of additive manufacturing are provided, in which solid polymer material in form of strand(s) or particles is continuously received, and its surface is heated peripherally to liquefy the surface, using specified heating-related parameters which are selected to maintain a central volume of the continuously received solid polymer material in a solid state. The surface of a polymer substrate is also liquefied, and the peripherally heated surface of the continuously received solid polymer material is attached to the liquefied surface of the polymer substrate, followed by re-solidification of the liquefied surface to yield monolithic attachment of the material to the substrate. Liquefying only the surface of the material maintains some of its strength and prevents deformation upon solidification. The monolithic attachment provides uniform and controllable industrial products.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for efficient 3D printing that address conventional inefficiencies while utilizing a single compact device are set forth. Some embodiments utilize a circular-shaped build area revolving symmetrically around a single center point utilizing a continuous helical printing process. In some embodiments, vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are utilized as an energy source for curing the print material. The VCSELs can be integrated with the print head and can form an array which can be staggered or linear. In some embodiments, the VCSELs (and the corresponding print head)can be connected to a rotating platform, which can rotate independently from the revolving build area. In some embodiments, a thermoelectric cooler and/or a fluid cooler can provide cooling to the VCSELS.

Abstract: In a method of making a three dimensional object from a polymerizable liquid by stereolithography including irradiating the liquid with light projected from a light source through or across a patterning array and through an optically transparent build plate to the polymerizable liquid, as improvement includes employing as the light source (i) at least one or a plurality of laser diode array(s) or (ii) a light-sustained plasma.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for volumetric manufacture of three-dimensional physical objects from a precursor material based on plans, specifications, or virtual models. A build domain is provided comprising an enclosed three-dimensional wire grid in which the wires are connected to one or more electric power sources configured to controllably and addressably apply power to one or more individual wires to cause the wires to dissipate heat produced by Joule heating to the surrounding precursor material situated within the build domain, and to further allow for the control of the three-dimensional heat distribution and accordingly temperature distribution within the build domain. By activating and deactivating one or more predetermined subsets of the wires in the build domain, the precursor can be caused to melt and/or solidify so as to form a three-dimensional object within the build domain.

Abstract: This invention provides a three-dimensional laminating and fabricating system that can remove the influence of a gas flow between the irradiation positions by a plurality of irradiators.

Abstract: A machine for washing and removing substrate material for parts produced by a 3D printer. The machine includes a housing having a working chamber and a disposal chamber. The machine has at least one inlet in fluid communication with the working chamber. The disposal chamber is disposed adjacent to the working chamber. A dividing wall is disposed between the working chamber and the disposal chamber. A pump conveys a working fluid to the at least one inlet in the working chamber. The disposal chamber and the working chamber are disposed in fluid communication via a passageway such that working fluid passes from the working chamber to the disposal chamber. The machine may also include an ultrasonic generator for generating ultrasonic vibrations within the working chamber and a heater for warming the working fluid.

Abstract: An installation is provided for cleaning a plate used in an additive manufacturing process performed using a powder. The installation includes an entry lock, an exit lock, a dry cleaner, a wet cleaner, and a conveyor system. The entry lock is structured to accept into the installation a plate that is to be cleaned. The exit lock is structured to allow the plate to be extracted from the installation after cleaning. The dry cleaner is structured to clean the plate using vibrations and shocks in a first confinement enclosure. The wet cleaner is structured to clean the plate using at least one liquid in a second confinement enclosure. The conveyor system is structured to transport the plate between the dry cleaner, the wet cleaner, and the exit lock.

Abstract: The invention is a computer-implemented method for defining a supporting structure (2) for a three-dimensional object (1) to be produced through a stereolithography process, comprising the following operations: defining a first surface (3) to be supported of the three-dimensional object (1) and a second surface (4) facing the first surface (3); defining elongated supporting elements (5) between the surfaces (3, 4); defining pairs of supporting elements (5); for each pair of supporting elements (5), defining an elongated reinforcing element (6) connecting the two supporting elements (5) of the pair. The definition of the pairs of supporting elements (5) comprises the following operations: defining a reference point (7) of each supporting element (5); defining a connected acyclic graph (8) having as vertices the reference points (7); for each edge (9) of the graph, defining one pair of supporting elements comprising the two supporting elements (5) corresponding to the ends of the edge (9).

Abstract: [Object] To provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program that make it possible to appropriately edit a three-dimensional object, and then reproduce the three-dimensional object. [Solution] An information processing apparatus including: a first acquisition unit configured to acquire default design information of a product; a second acquisition unit configured to acquire target information of a target to which the product is to be adapted; and a generation unit configured to generate design information adapted to the target from the default design information acquired by the first acquisition unit on a basis of the target information acquired by the second acquisition unit.

Abstract: A method of minimising distortion in a workpiece is described that includes utilizing a computer system to carry out finite element analysis on a finite element thermo-mechanical model of the workpiece during and after fabrication by additive manufacturing to predict shape distortion and residual stress development in the workpiece, wherein the fabrication includes the fabrication step of depositing multiple layers of a material melted by a heat source along a deposit path on a substrate, and introducing alterations to the workpiece prior to or during fabrication to compensate for the predicted distortion.

Abstract: This invention provides a three-dimensional laminating and fabricating system that shortens the scanning time of a divided scanning region and shortens the fabricating time of three-dimensional laminating and fabricating. The three-dimensional laminating and fabricating system includes a laminating and fabricating unit that includes at least one irradiator configured to irradiate a laminating material and fabricates each layer of a laminated and fabricated object made of the laminating material as an aggregate of cell regions, and a laminating and fabricating controller that controls the laminating and fabricating unit such that the irradiator irradiates the laminating material in each of the cell regions by performing spiral scanning along sides of a scanning region that is used to irradiate the cell regions by the irradiator and has a shape including at least five vertices with an interior angle of not less than 90°.

Abstract: This invention provides a laminating and fabricating control apparatus for correcting a laser irradiation position in correspondence with a shift of the laser irradiation position during laminating and fabricating by an optical fabricating unit. The laminating and fabricating control apparatus controls a laminating and fabricating unit that includes a squeezing blade configured to spread a laminating material on an upper layer of a laminated and fabricated object, and an irradiator configured to irradiate the laminating material, to fabricate the laminated and fabricated object. The laminating and fabricating control apparatus includes a position shift acquirer that acquires a shift of an irradiation position of irradiation light on a surface of the squeezing blade when receiving the irradiation light from the irradiator, and an irradiation position corrector that corrects the irradiation position by the irradiator based on the shift of the irradiation position.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for the additive manufacturing of at least one three-dimensional object (2) by selectively compacting layer by layer at least one compactible building material (3) by means of at least one energy beam (5) generated by at least one radiation generating device (4), comprising at least one radiation generating device (4) for generating at least one energy beam (5) for compacting at least one compactible building material (3), at least one coating device (8) for carrying out at least one coating operation to apply a defined building material layer (9) of at least one compactible building material (3) to a building plane (10) or to a building material layer (9) of at least one compactible building material (3) that has previously been applied in the course of carrying out a previous coating operation, and also at least one recording device (11) for recording layer information describing.

Abstract: In an example, a processor comprises an ancillary print agent distribution module to determine instructions for a print control module. The print control module may be to control the distribution of print agent onto a first region of a layer of build material in an object fabrication chamber in an additive manufacturing process in which at least one object is generated by selective solidification of each of a plurality of layers of build material and the selective solidification of build material is determined by the distribution of at least one print agent. The instructions determined by the ancillary print agent distribution module may be to cause the print control module to control the distribution of print agent in a second region of a layer of build material in an object fabrication chamber as part of a process which is ancillary to object generation. The first and second regions may be spatially distinct.

Abstract: A method of bonding a second object to a first object includes: providing the first object, which includes a thermoplastic liquefiable material in a solid state; providing the second object, which includes a surface portion that has a coupling structure with an undercut such that the second object can make a positive-fit connection with the first object; and pressing the second object against the first object with a tool that is in physical contact with a coupling-in structure of the second object while mechanical vibrations are coupled into the tool. The step of pressing and coupling vibrations into the tool continues until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material of the first object is liquefied and flows into the coupling structures of the second object. Thereafter, the thermoplastic material of the first object is permitted to re-solidify to yield a positive-fit connection between the first and second objects.

Abstract: A machine for processing a part produced by a 3-D printer. The machine includes a housing having a working chamber defined therein. A support structure is disposed at the bottom of the working chamber for supporting the part. The structure has at least one opening defined therein. A spray header is disposed along at least a portion of the perimeter of the working chamber. A pump is configured and arranged to convey a fluid at varying pressures through the spray header. The fluid contacts the part and then passes through the opening in the structure where it flows to the bottom of the working chamber to a fluid outlet.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a ring-shaped frame made from composite material includes slipping at least one tubular casing of dry fibers over an assembly having at least two coaxial sub-assemblies axially movable relative to one another and between which a peripheral groove is defined. The assembly is disposed in the general plane of the frame. A portion of the tubular casing is forced into the groove and the two sub-assemblies are tightened so as to hold a portion of the tubular casing in the groove. Two parts of the casing that are outside the groove are coupled, and the obtained coupling is folded onto one of the two sub-assemblies in order to obtain a preform of dry fibers. The preform is solidified by polymerisation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for bi-directional cutters for Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) machines. One embodiment includes a bi-directional cutter for Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) manufacturing. The cutter includes a cutter body that has an upper edge and a lower edge, and has an opening placed between the upper edge and the lower edge that is dimensioned to enable passage of a tow of fiber through the cutter body. The cutter also includes a first blade disposed on the lower edge of the cutter body that is oriented to cut the tow when the cutter is driven downward, and a second blade disposed on an edge of the opening in the cutter body that is oriented to cut the tow when the cutter is driven upward.

Abstract: A method of making an adhesive backed web, wherein the adhesive layer of such web has partially embedded filaments projecting therefrom. The filaments may comprise a thermoplastic material or a hot melt adhesive. The filaments are contacted to a major surface of a liner material then pressed partially thereinto. An adhesive layer, as from an adhesive backed film, is then laminated to the filament-containing liner, allowing the adhesive layer to pick up the filaments.